Electrical equipment in the workplace can pose a serious hazard. To prevent this, Australia requires electrical equipment that’s used in commercial settings to be inspected, tested and tagged on a regular basis.
Test and tag is a major requirement for any business. To ensure they’re meeting the requirements, businesses need to work with qualified test and tag professionals.
Becoming a tester and tagger is relatively straightforward. The necessary skills can be learned through structured training with an RTO, allowing you to expand your career and take on new responsibilities at work.
In this article, we’ll learn who can test and tag electrical equipment in Australia, as well as how the requirements vary between states.
Who Can Test and Tag Electrical Equipment?
In Australia, you must be a “competent person” to test and tag electrical equipment. The simplest way to do this is to complete a UEERL0003 – Conduct in-service safety testing of electrical cord connected equipment and cord assemblies course with an RTO.
The actual requirements for testing and tagging vary between states. We’ve provided test and tag details for each Australian state below:
Queensland
In Queensland, test and tag requirements depend on whether you are testing equipment within your employer’s workplace, or offering your services to third-parties.
To test and tag equipment in the workplace, you must be:
- A competent person who has undertaken a structured test and tag course (UEERL0003)
To offer test and tag services to others, you must:
- Complete a structured test and tag course (UEERL0003), AND;
- Hold a Restricted Electrical Contractors Licence, OR;
- Hold an Electrical Contractors Licence
Electrical Contractors Licences are provided by the QLD Electrical Safety Office. Note that you do not need to be a qualified electrician to offer test and tag services to other people and businesses in QLD. As long as you have completed UEERL0003, you can apply for a Restricted Electrical Contractors Licence and provide your services to others.
Source: WorkSafe QLD
New South Wales
To test and tag electrical equipment in NSW, you must be:
- A competent person who has undertaken a structured test and tag course (UEERL0003)
Source: SafeWork NSW
Victoria
To test and tag electrical equipment in VIC, you must be:
- A competent person who has undertaken a structured test and tag course (UEERL0003)
Source: WorkSafe VIC
South Australia
To test and tag electrical equipment in SA, you must be:
- A competent person who has undertaken a structured test and tag course (UEERL0003)
- A licensed electrical worker or inspector who is deemed to be competent in testing and tagging
Source: SafeWork SA
Northern Territory
To test and tag electrical equipment in NT, you must be:
- A competent person who has undertaken a structured test and tag course (UEERL0003)
- A licensed electrical worker
- A licensed electrical inspector
Source: WorkSafe NT
Western Australia
To test and tag electrical equipment in WA, you must be:
- A competent person who has undertaken a structured test and tag course (UEERL0003)
- A licensed electrical worker
Source: WorkSafe WA
Australian Capital Territory
To test and tag electrical equipment in ACT, you must be:
- A competent person who has undertaken a structured test and tag course (UEERL0003)
- A licensed electrical worker
Source: WorkSafe ACT
Tasmania
Testing and tagging is not a licensed occupation in Tasmania. Despite this, electrical equipment still needs to be regularly tested to ensure it’s functional, safe and undamaged.
To test electrical equipment in TAS, you must be:
- A licensed electrical worker
- An interstate person who as completed a structured test and tag course (UEERL0003)
Source: Tasmanian Government
Do You Need to be an Electrician to Test and Tag?
No. According to AS/NZS 3760, you must be a “competent person” to test and tag electrical equipment. A competent person is someone who has the appropriate skills and knowledge, which can be acquired through training, qualification or experience.
Undertaking a nationally recognised qualification is the simplest way to acquire the necessary experience. UEERL0003 courses are nationally-accredited, and they allow you to handle testing and tagging in every Australian state. Note that you may require additional licences and training in some areas.
Earn Your Test and Tag Qualification With Get Skilled Training!
Studying a UEERL0003 course is the simplest way to learn the skills needed to offer test and tag services. At Get Skilled Training, we provide test and tag training courses that can help you take the next step in your career.
Get Skilled Training is an RTO that offers courses in Brisbane, Toowoomba, Adelaide and the Sunshine Coast. Our UEERL0003 course is delivered as a one-day course where you’ll learn how to inspect equipment, test its function and appropriately apply service tags.
UEERL0003 is ideal for anyone who handles testing and tagging within their own business, as well as for electricians looking to develop their skills.
Explore our course catalogue online today, or contact us to find out more about our test and tag training in Australia.
